◆ Avangarde Castle, King’s Chamber ◆
“I won’t let you escape, you know?”
Hero Aleid cast Flame Jail!
With a single hand, Aleid summoned pillars of fire that rose throughout the King’s Chamber, forming a cage of iron bars in a circular arrangement. The sheer magical power radiating from him was enough to instill fear even in high-level wizards present. The heat alone was enough to inflict damage without direct contact. The reason for trapping us in this scorching prison was, of course, to annihilate us, but he knew exactly how much I despised this situation. He must have been watching the battle with Belmund from somewhere, grinning as he saw me desperately fighting to protect everyone.
“No, no! We can’t extinguish this!”
“Don’t touch it! You’ll be burned to the bone!”
“Hero! Why are you doing this?!”
“Why, you ask?”
He pursed his lips, mocking us from the depths of his heart. I couldn’t help but wonder how someone could develop such a personality. For now, he was still naive to think he could confine us in this cage.
“Well, it’s because of you all that I’m doing this.”
“W-What are you going to do?!”
Aleid grabbed one of the adventurers with a single hand, holding her hostage. Even if she wasn’t a young girl adventurer, there was no way to resist Aleid’s strength. The adventurer, her earlobe being licked, finally burst into tears. It was then that I realized Aleid’s true intention as I charged forward.
Rua’s attack!
“Here we go, girl shield!”
“Ah!”
In short, he was using the girl as a shield. The sight of her, cradled in Aleid’s arms with a look of despair, was painful to see.
“A-Aleid! Do you even know what you’re doing?!”
“Of course I do, you idiot. Just die already. Right? Beeeero-beero-beero-beero!”
“That’s not right, you fool.”
“Mo-momi-momi-momi-momiinnn!”
“No, noooooo!”
“Enough… already!”
Just as he began to grope the girl’s chest, I dashed into Aleid’s embrace at full speed and landed a punch right on his face. It was a blow without holding back, but it only caused him to bleed a little. Still, that was enough; it caught him off guard, and he released the girl.
“A-ah… Aaaaaah!”
“You’re okay now, just calm down.”
I didn’t have time to soothe the panicked girl. I quickly swung my weapon to extinguish the pillars of flame, ensuring an escape route for the adventurers and soldiers. Kirkton and Ritta, while protecting the King, had realized my intentions. As expected from the captain of the royal brigade and an excellent squad leader.
“That’s horrible… This isn’t what a hero does!”
“He’s worse than a beast!”
I wished they would stop cursing in this situation; it would only make them the next target. Just as I thought that, another girl adventurer caught my eye—this time it was Mai. I hadn’t noticed her among the crowd, and it was careless of me to overlook someone I knew.
“Let go of me, you creepy shut-in!”
“Huh?! How did you know I was a former recluse?!”
“I don’t know, but you just have that vibe! And why would you confess when I was just fishing for information, you idiot?”
With one hand, Aleid held Mai, while with the other, he launched a fireball toward the exit of the King’s Chamber. I stepped in front of the fleeing people and slashed through the fireball. But then Aleid unleashed another spell at me from a different angle.
Rua received 1034 damage! HP 41016/42050
If I wanted to help the fleeing people, I had to take the hit. Dodging would only cause more harm. I couldn’t attack either, as he was using the girl as a shield. The power of that fireball, despite being a low-level spell, was enough to incinerate anyone caught in its path without leaving a trace. If it weren’t for me, they would have died without even a scream. It seemed that the claim of being able to turn the royal capital into a wasteland wasn’t just a lie.
“If you do anything weird to Mai, I won’t forgive you!”
Rua’s attack! Aleid deftly dodged!
This was bad. As long as Mai was being used as a shield, I unconsciously held back all my strength. I could have managed against an average opponent, but Aleid was no ordinary foe. My previous strike had been somewhat of a surprise attack, and now I had no idea how to turn the situation around. I had never faced such a scenario in the Abyss Cave, and I needed to think of a way to break free from this predicament immediately.
“Do you know? The truly strong ones have no attachments or companions. Do you know why? Because those become their weaknesses. Someone as soft as you can easily be subdued by my hands. If it were just you, I could have handled it, but you’re letting your pathetic emotions get in the way of attacking for the sake of a single pest.”
“Mai! I’m coming to save you!”
“Ai! No! You can’t win against him!”
Ai’s Accel Swing!
“Rua-chan! Speed Force!”
Kurinka cast Speed Force! Rua’s speed increased!
Thanks to Kurinka, my legs felt incredibly light. But Ai’s axe was dangerous; with Mai in the way, her aim was completely off. Indeed, Aleid stood still, watching as the axe was swung down.
“What? That big-breasted girl over there is also your friend? I kinda want to have some fun with her, is that okay?”
“Y-You filthy creep! Die!”
“You’re saying that, but your body is honest, right?”
“Stop! Noooo!”
Watching Aleid easily subdue Mai, who was thrashing in his arms, something inside me began to stir. My heart raced, a bubbling anger rising within me.
“…Aleid, if you go any further…”
I couldn’t even finish my thought. It wasn’t just Kurinka’s Speed Force; my entire body felt lighter. Everything within me was focused on my target.
“…What?! When did I…?”
Before I knew it, I had closed the distance to Aleid and grabbed his arm, prying it away from Mai.
“GYAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
I crushed it.
“Ah, agh, uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu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“Why… why is this happening?! Master Heal is supposed to cure any injury in an instant, right?! This doesn’t make sense! Hey! You’re watching, aren’t you?! Come out and explain this!”
“What is it…? Who are you shouting at?”
No one stepped forward to help Aleid. Instead of offering assistance to someone who had done as he pleased until now, they pierced him with looks of disdain and pity. The Hero, who seemed completely deranged, continued to scream at the high ceiling.
“My blood… it won’t stop… what’s happening…?”
“Most likely, it is the very impact of Rua’s strike that is the cause.”
Lord Hast, pushing through the crowd, always made his entrance at his own pace. I wondered if everything was alright at the Research Facility.
“If Kurinka shares the same lineage, it would be natural to assume that Rua possesses that power as well. However, this is not a gentle form of regeneration.”
“Me…? Why?”
“Though the wording is not ideal, it seems to be a mutation. Just as a child born from an ordinary family can be a genius, you are of that kind. If the blood of experimental subjects has mixed together…”
“I don’t really understand…”
“To put it simply, you are the ultimate hybrid born from the union of beings with mixed blood—humans and monsters.”
I glanced at my parents. They looked puzzled, clearly not grasping the situation. In fact, it seemed they couldn’t even comprehend how I had become this strong. That was the impression I got.
“This is merely my conjecture, though.”
“Shut up, old man! If you can use magic, then heal me already!”
“Goodness, is that how you ask a favor of someone?”
“Hurry up! I’m the Hero! Do you understand how much of a loss it would be for this country if I were to perish?!”
“Look around you. Is there anyone here who needs you?”
Contempt, pity, anger. Cold, silent gazes were directed at Aleid. No one spoke up, and no one made an effort to help. This was the result of the path Aleid had chosen. When you do something wrong, it will inevitably come back to haunt you. Yet, he still didn’t understand anything. He even spat at Lord Hast, demanding help.
“You bastards… damn it! I’ll kill you all… If I’m going to die anyway, I might as well take someone down with me… Hehehe…”
“Aleid, if you don’t apologize properly, no one will help you.”
“That’s pointless. This is Rua’s power. If even healing magic can’t reach you… then this… Hmm, perhaps we should call it destruction in contrast to regeneration.”
“Destruction?!”
“Indeed. Before the absolute power of destruction, nothing can prevail, nor can restoration be permitted. The Vandalsia you defeated must have possessed a similar power; it is noted in the few records we have.”
“But there were monsters in the Abyss Cave that stood back up after I attacked them.”
“They likely did not realize their inner strength. It must have awakened little by little…”
Suddenly, I recalled what Lord Daigami had said. If Lord Hast’s answer was correct, then I finally understood the meaning behind his words. That Absolute Divine Territory was nearly invincible, and if that was what I had shattered, it was truly terrifying to think I possessed such power.
While I caught sight of Aleid, who was frantically trying to stand, I couldn’t tear my attention away from Lord Hast’s words. And now, the information he had just revealed sent shockwaves through everyone present.
“Huh?! Did Belmund mention something about Vandalsia…?”
“You defeated it?”
“Lord Hast! What was that just now?!”
The name was slightly incorrect. It seemed Lord Hast regretted saying it, letting out a small sigh as if the commotion was a bother.
“Calm down, calm down. I’ll explain it to you later, though I doubt you’ll believe me…”
“Shut up!”
In what could only be described as a final roar, Aleid mustered all his strength and charged forward. Even with an arm lost, his speed remained unchanged. He moved faster than anyone present could comprehend, heading straight for…
“Kyah!”
“I’ll destroy your partner last! Hyahhhhhh!”
“Rua-chan!”
【Rua’s attack! Dealt 625,401 damage to Hero Aleid! Hero Aleid has been defeated! HP 0/572,000】
One strike, no, two strikes. Three strikes—so many blows were delivered in an instant that even I couldn’t keep track. It was as if I had acted entirely on instinct. Aleid’s body was undoubtedly battered, his bones nearly shattered. Yet, somehow, he had avoided a fatal injury, thanks to his remarkable resilience.
“Gah!”
He was sent crashing into the throne, which shattered upon impact, and he flew off again. He bounced several times on the ground before finally coming to a stop. He lay there, not moving at all, indicating something was seriously wrong.
“Kurinka, it’s okay now.”
“I’m fine as long as nothing happens…”
Still, I couldn’t help but worry about Kurinka. As I regained my composure, I began to realize the magnitude of what I had done. Kurinka also looked behind the throne where Aleid had been thrown. His limbs were twisted at odd angles, and he lay completely still. Even I felt my blood run cold. No way… no way, no way…
“Is he… dead…?”
“I’ll try to heal him.”
I couldn’t remember a time when I had relied so heavily on the brilliance of Angel Heal. No matter how much of a jerk he was, he was still human. As the duration of Angel Heal stretched on, my heart raced with anxiety. I had done this to a person. I desperately wanted to avoid the worst possible outcome.
“…Ugh.”
“Oh! He might be coming back to life!”
“That’s great, Kurinka! Keep it up!”
Aleid’s eyes fluttered open, and it seemed he was regaining consciousness, moving his mouth as if trying to speak, but no sound came out.
“Aleid, even someone like you…”
――――Hero, be freed from your fate.
Suddenly, the entire King’s Chamber was engulfed in a blinding white light. No, it was a light so intense it felt like it could blind me. It was so sudden that I couldn’t even register the sensation of brightness. It took a moment for me to recognize it as light. A faint voice echoed from nowhere, resonating throughout the King’s Chamber. No, it was different.
“Y-you… if you were watching… help me…”
――――You bear no destiny; return.
It was the same as when Lord Daigami spoke. This voice was directly communicating with my mind. No, to be precise, it wasn’t addressing us. It was speaking to Aleid, someone was trying to convey something to him.
“What does that… mean?”
――――You lacked the qualities of a Hero; I shall remove you from the cycle of reason.
“Ahhhhhhhhhh!”
Though I couldn’t see due to the blinding light, I could hear Aleid’s scream. Immediately after, my eyelids grew heavy. The light enveloping us vanished, and I realized the familiar scenery had returned, but I couldn’t move. The voice that flowed into my mind, the events that had just transpired. When I finally opened my eyes, there stood Aleid, his wounds healed.
“W-what was that just now…?”
“You heard it too?”
“I don’t know, but it felt… warm and cold at the same time…”
Finally, everyone began to show signs of agitation. It became clear that the voice hadn’t been heard only by me. One thing was certain: the source of that voice was at least on par with Lord Daigami, if not greater. It wasn’t just a matter of directly implanting messages into our minds; each word resonated, wrapping us in an inexplicable embrace that felt impossible to resist.
It was a cliché to say they were extraordinary, but what other words could capture it? It seemed that the voice had said something to Aleid, but the crucial person himself was now fully healed and glaring at us.
“That bastard, I don’t know what he said, but he definitely gave me some new power. So, are you all ready?”
“Aleid, just stop.”
“Do you think I’ll understand unless I get locked up again?! Flame Jail!”
With a powerful shout, Aleid thrust his palm forward. But he stood there, motionless, and nothing changed around us. In the silence, Aleid stared intently at his own palm.
“Huh? Flame Jail!”
Once again, nothing happened. Was it just my imagination, or was Aleid somehow different from before? His red cloak looked impressive, but the man wearing it seemed lackluster. No, he had always been lackluster, but now something was definitely off.
“Hey, what’s going on? Starlight Holy!”
Aleid began to show signs of panic. At this point, most people started to grasp what had happened. They began to understand what had become of Aleid, who was desperately repeating the names of skills and spells. One thing was clear: Aleid no longer possessed the power to threaten this place.
“Damn it! Why is this happening? Hey, you! That damn Divine Being! Give me your power! Hey! I’ll kill you!”
“Hmm, it seems you were receiving power from the owner of that voice earlier, weren’t you?”
“Shut up, you old geezer!”
“Then it appears all hope is lost. I don’t know the details, but it seems you’ve been deemed unworthy of wielding power. Now, now, I must admit, I’m quite curious about the current owner of that voice. How about this? I’ll provide you shelter here, so why not share your story with me?”
“Shut uuuuuuuuuup!”
I tried to shove Lord Hast away, but my strength was far too feeble. I couldn’t even make the elderly man stagger. This was the true extent of Aleid’s power, and I was certain of it. Just as Aleid had said, he had been granted strength by that voice. And now, in this very moment, it was gone. What would happen next?
“Hey, I don’t get it, but aren’t you going to attack?”
“This is the price for all the mockery you’ve dished out. You’re ready for what’s coming, right?”
“Wha… No way… This can’t be happening! I’m a Hero! I carry the blood of a Hero! This is impossible! Noooooo!”
Overwhelmed by the advancing Adventurers, Aleid finally lost his mind. He barely managed to hold onto the Hero’s Sword, but the weight was too much for him, and he dropped the blade to the floor. He couldn’t even hold it properly, tears welling in his eyes as he screamed in panic.
“Stop it! I’m a Hero! Noooooo!”
Surrounded by the Adventurers, Aleid cried out desperately. I wanted to feel pity for him; after all, I’m not a demon. But I couldn’t. It was nothing but sheer misery. He brought this upon himself—what was it again?
“Reap what you sow,” I recalled.
That’s right, just like my father would say. Even someone who barely knew Aleid could say such a thing. It was clear that Aleid had earned everyone’s resentment in such a short time.
“Help me! I’m a Hero, you know! I could be useful! I mean, I’m a Hero, and only I can wield the Hero’s Sword… right?”
“Not a chance. This is punishment. Even the ‘Leaping Sword’ has its pride.”
As I watched Aleid, tears streaming down his face as he begged for mercy while being roughly grabbed by the Leaping Sword wielder, I noticed the girl who had shielded him earlier was also present. It felt entirely natural.
◆ Shin Report ◆
I never expected Aleid to end up like this.
Let him be beaten down as he deserves.
What does a mere recluse do with power?
He only earns the resentment of many and will eventually meet his end.
A fool who knows nothing of the world, even if he gains strength,
there’s no way he can survive. This is the conclusion of Shin.
Oh, right! Rua possessed the power of destruction!
The Mage is boasting about it.
Huh? That’s old news.
Was it because I couldn’t heal the wounds that I had the power of destruction?
So what?
Is Shin supposed to be surprised by that now?
Ah, fine, I’ll write it down anyway.
The source of Rua’s power is destruction!
Ultimate fusion! Sudden transformation! Monster!
Beast! Hah, is that all there is to it?